To offset the economic burden on border sheriffs
from the lack of southern border security, and for other purposes.

IN
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 16, 2011

Mr.
CARTER (for himself and Mr. GOHMERT) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on
Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker,
in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction
of the committee concerned

A BILL

To
offset the economic burden on border sheriffs from the lack of southern border
security, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by
the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress
assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act
may be cited as the `Southern Border Sheriffs Community Impact Aid Act of 2011'.

SEC.
2. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS.

(a) Findings- Congress finds the
following:

(1) The international border of the United States
constitutes Federal infrastructure that has a substantial economic impact on adjacent
counties.

(2) The high level of documented illegal activity
on the United States southern border has placed a unique economic burden on border
sheriffs' departments.

(b) Sense of Congress- It is the sense
of Congress that the Federal Government should offset the additional law enforcement
costs on these counties in a similar manner to the Community Impact Aid program
for local schools that incur additional costs from Federal infrastructure.

SEC.
3. COMMUNITY IMPACT AID GRANTS.

(a) In General- The Secretary
of Homeland Security shall make grants to sheriffs' departments along the southern
border of the United States for the purpose of hiring additional deputies, including
for salaries, benefits, training, uniforms, patrol vehicles, and arms.

(b) Grant Calculation Formula- Except as provided in subsection (c), a grant made
pursuant to subsection (a) shall be in an amount equal to 30 percent of an eligible
sheriff's department's fiscal year 2010 budget for patrol deputies.

(c) Minimum Benefit- Notwithstanding the calculation provided for in subsection
(b), a grant made pursuant to subsection (a) to an eligible sheriff's department
shall be in an amount that allows for the hiring of at least one additional deputy.

(d) Availability- Grants made pursuant to subsection (a) are authorized to remain
available until expended.

(e) Eligibility and Funding- To be eligible
to receive a grant under this section, a sheriff's department shall submit to
the Secretary of Homeland Security an application at such time, in such manner,
and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(f) Eligible Sheriffs' Departments- Sheriffs' departments in the following counties
are eligible to receive grants under this section:

(2) In Arizona, the following counties: Yuma, Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise Counties.

(3) In New Mexico, the following counties: Dona Ana, Luna, Grant, Otero, and Hidalgo
Counties.

(4) In California, the following counties:
San Diego and Imperial Counties.

(g) Cut as You Go- To carry
out this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall reprogram funds that
would otherwise be obligated and expended under the account heading `Departmental
Management and Operations'.